Hawai'i Championship Wrestling

Pwcompanybox
name = Hawai'i Championship Wrestling


acronym = HCW
established = 2003
style = Old School / Sports Entertainment /Strong Style Mix
location = Honolulu, HI
founder = Don Muraco and Linda Bade

Hawai'i Championship Wrestling (HCW), is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2003. It has been associated with both AWA Superstars, and also, the NWA.

History

The promotion was founded by television producer Linda Bade and Don Muraco, in February 2003 with the inaugural show held in March. A "blessing" of the belts was held in June on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Those who attended the private belt blessing ceremony included several wrestlers of native Hawaiian decent, as well as "guests" belt maker Reggie Parks, Ed Chuman (NWA Midwest), Bill Apter (pro wrestling journalist and current HCW Commissioner), Teruo Kawana and Masahiro Chono (NWA Japan and NJPW). HCW's first champion, Lopaka, was involved in the honors of the blessing with the Royal Order of Kamehameha. The "honor" was documented by Ka Maka O' Ka A'ina and WWE's photographer. [ [http://www.midwestwrestling.com/championshipbelts/hawaiibelts.htm Hawaii Belts ] ] [ [http://www.namaka.com Na Maka o ka Aina ] ] [http://808hcw.com/TotalWrestlingBeltBlessing1.jpg] [http://808hcw.com/TotalWrestlingBeltBlessing2.jpg]

They contracted talent from Japan, U.S. independents, and former WWE and WCW talent such as Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Eddie Fatu (Umaga, WWE), Kensuke Sasaki, The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) and Masahiro Chono.Hawai'i Championship Wrestling has had working agreements with All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and TNA. Through such agreements, HCW has been featured in Japanese wrestling magazines and US publications including the short-lived Total Wrestling Magazine, and WWE RAW Magazine, which featured an article on former HCW Commissioner Don Muraco, and continues to receive attention from the various Japanese media today, including Tokyo Sports, and Samurai TV through HCW's newest affiliation with Japan's First On Stage, producers of Zero1-Max, SUN, and Hustle Events.

Battle Hawaii 2003 and 2004

Battle Hawaii 2003 and 2004 were significant points in HCW's history as the promotion undertook some brave business ventures in cross-promoting itself with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in Battle Hawaii 2003 with the appearances of Masahiro Chono, Yuji Nagata, Jushin "Thunder" Liger, and Tiger Mask IV and with Battle Hawaii 2004 with the appearances of Sting, DDP, Rikishi, and The Great Muta. According to Japan's Weekly Gong Magazine and Shuukan Puroresu, 400+ fans attended Battle Hawaii 2003 and over 1,000 attended 2004. [ [http://www.808hcw.com/wg.html Hcw In Weekly Gong! ] ] [ [http://www.808hcw.com/pr.html Hcw In Puro Resu! ] ]

HCW officials continued to work with outside talent from Japan eventually reaching a business relationship with Japanese puroresu icon Kensuke Sasaki and wife, Akira Hokuto. Kensuke Sasaki had just returned to Japanese wrestling scene and managed to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Title while still holding the HCW Heavyweight Championship after defeating 1st champion Lopaka.

2003-current events

HCW also entertained the US military troops, and communities through support by the contracting offices of the MWR. Some military installations they were contracted for are: MCBH - Bay Fest / Kaneohe Marine Corps Base - E Club, Pearl Harbor US Navy Base, and Schofield Barracks US Army Base. In May 2006, TNA provided HCW with the appearance of then TNA's X Division Champion, Samoa Joe to HCW's special Friday Nite Slam! event, on Schofield Barracks, sponsored by the MWR. In late 2006, Don Muraco was released by HCW and longtime friend of HCW and pro wrestling journalist. Bill Apter was named as his replacement for the second time.

In late November 2006, the MWR awarded HCW with a newly signed 2007 contract for their Saturday Nite Slam! monthly series from Schofield Barracks US Army Base. HCW continues to entertain both the military troops and the public as they have since 2003, adding their own uniqueness to wrestling, with Polynesian cultural elements into their shows, such as Samoan fire knife presentations with live drums, and other Polynesian dance and chant forms. Recently, HCW added a new Women's Division, featuring former WWE DIVA Tracy Taylor, veteran, Malia Hosaka, former Japan's J'D Star wrestler Tsunami, along with Japan's Hikaru, and Saki Maemura.

Aside from the HCW regulars, Kaimana, Micah, "Superfly" Ete. "Samoan Stallion" Ativalu, Big Daddy Frank, Ahuna, Tilo Vasaga, Sean Chrstain, and more,HCW had opened their doors to several individuals from the island of Maui fronted by Hawaiian indy wrestling veteran Shin-Ku (who once wrestled former World Heavyweight Champion and current WWE Smackdown! Superstar Rey Mysterio). Maui wrestlers such as Da Crusher, Kamu, Carma, and Ma Hu Wong were added onto the HCW roster, (with some potential trainees from the Big Island) as well as the mainland US. Seattle, and Chicago veterans Matt Farmer, and Chris Del Sol (Suicide Kings), also became HCW regulars. HCW presently networks with the INOKI L.A. Dojo, First On Stage/ ZERO1-MAX/ SUN/ EWA/ HUSTLE of Japan [ [http://www.zero-one-max.com/ ƒvƒ?ƒŒƒXƒŠƒ“ƒO @ƒ [ƒ?ƒ?ƒ“ Eƒ}ƒbƒNƒX F PRO-WRESTLING ZERO1-MAX official site ] ] . HCW has also included former ECW, NWA, AWA World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino involvement established in January of 2007.

HCW has also brought in NWA Hall Of Famer, Mr. Wrestling II (aka Johnny Walker) http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/host/johnnywalker/home.html as their training coach, and on-camera "God Father" of the promotion. In October of 2007, HCW introduced Mr. Wrestling 3, who was chosen as Mr. Wrestling ll's official successor. http://www.MrWrestling3.com

HCW ran it's last live show on June 14th, 2008. Shortly after that event Linda privately announced to the remaining handful of wrestlers she had left that HCW was going on "hiatus".

Championships

Current champions

References

External links

* [http://www.808hcw.com HCW]
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/hcw.html HCW Results Archive (Online World of Wrestling)]
* http://www.zerooneusa.com